After the spectacular success of Luna 3, this spacecraft was launched to return more detailed photos of the lunar far side. The Ye-3 class vehicle was essentially a Ye-2A probe using a modified radio-telemetry system, but with the old Yenisey-2 imaging system. (A more advanced Ye-3 type with a new imaging system had been abandoned earlier.)

During the launch, the probe received insufficient velocity after premature third-stage engine cutoff. The spacecraft reached an altitude of 200,000 kilometers and then fell back to Earth and burned up in Earth's atmosphere, much like some of the early American Pioneer probes.

Key Dates

15 Apr 1960: Launch (15:06:44 UT)

Status: Unsuccessful

Fast Facts

This was the first Soviet launch of 1960.

None of the four Moon missions launched by the U.S. and USSR in 1960 were successful.

In 1960, Soviet scientists also turned their attention to Mars with two launches.